Gaelic development in Western Isles communities

The Gaelic Plan Implementation Committee met today (Thursday 11TH February 2010).

Present at the meeting was Calum Iain MacLeod, Development manager at Comunn na Gàidhlig who delivered a presentation on Comunn na Gàidhlig’s work on Gaelic Community Initiatives.

Chair of the Gaelic Committee, Councillor Agnes Rennie commented:

“It was very interesting to be given an insight to the work that Comunn na Gàidhlig are doing in our communities.  They are involved in many interesting and worthwhile projects and it is of great importance that such initiatives are taking place in our communities.  This is an integral part in the rejuvenation of our language”.

Also at the meeting Members were informed of the Hebridean Archive Service which will begin in April 2010.

Members and Officers have put in an enormous amount of work in bringing the idea forward and reaching this level.

Councillor Rennie said:

“I warmly welcome the news that the Service is almost ready to come into operation and that posts will be advertised imminently.  A great deal of hard work went into bring this to fruition and it will have a positive impact on the Gaelic.  It is important that the precious archives we have throughout our islands will become part of this Archive.  This is great news for our language and culture.

It was approved to give the Lochs Archaeological Group the sum of £5100.

The money will be spent on a study of Gaelic place names, historical sites and buildings in the area.

The proposal will also study the Seaforth Papers and the relationship to the land, people and culture of Lochs and the effects of the Jacobite Rebellion.

The Gaelic media production and training company, ‘Sealladh’ were awarded £2100 for a series of workshops.

Youngsters between 11 and 14 will have the opportunity to develop their drama skills whilst those between 18 and 25 can further progress their writing skills.  Two of these workshops will be held in the Western Isles.

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